Horticultural Nurseries and Nematode Dissemination

Horticultural nurseries are often contaminated with nematodes, especially the ischolar_main-knot nematode, Meloidogyne spp. Nematodes are concealed in the ischolar_mains of planting materials (plantlets in polybags). Due to unawareness about nematode infection in planting materials among nurserymen, growers and horticulture field staff, the nematodes have spread across India. The infected plants often do not grow well and slowly succumb to nematode infection on ischolar_mains that is accentuated due to secondary attack by fungal (Fusarium spp.) pathogens. Recently, this problem has cropped up in a big way in guava plantations across the country and a suspected exotic species, Meloidogyne enterolobii (the guava ischolar_main-knot nematode) has been intercepted in 11 states. Methods to contain nematode infection in nurseries and prevent further spread through planting material are suggested in this study.